Anyone hunt/shoot Rock dove/Pigeons? My state you can hunt all year with no limit with a hunting license. I see they make decoys and battery operated wing decoys.Thinking about getting some decoys to attract them in closer. Been hunting next to R&R tracks where grain cars has been passing through and they follow trains. Eventually they circle back around to take a shot, but was wondering if anyone used decoys?
Thanks
Mark

No, but there are a lot of videos online of them being decoyed while hunting in England. I wish there was a mess of them around me that I could go shoot.

They like tall buildings & bridges. Anything that resembles the rock cliffs of their original habitat with a handy food source. Here, feral pigeons (predominantly rock doves) & collared doves (considered an invasive species) can be hunted or shot at any time with no limit. They also feed in flocks in grain fields.

Meself and a group o' me Mates, hunt pigeons several times per year. We often hunt over decoys and using a battery powered mojo to add motion to the spread.

Here's a few photographs of our retrievers used during the hunt.


~ A LUST FOR FEATHERS ~ ALLIE MAE


~ SHR LAKE CHAFFEE'S AUTUMN LEGACY O' TRAD FINIAN MAC JH ~



~ THAT'S MY GIRL ~. ALLIE MAE and HRCH UH TTF CRAIGHORN KIFFIN TRAD SH ~

Cheers,
Mike

Thank all. Nice pictures Irishwhistler!

Aye Mate,
Thank ye most kindly.

Cheers,
Mike

My friends and I shoot feral pigeons on several dairies across central North Carolina. Where the birds are feeding in loafing areas or around grain bins, we typically use three dozen Soar-No-More pigeon decoys and a couple of Mojos upwind. Where there is a lot of manure or cattle are present, we use cheaper dove decoys with the feet cut off, painted to look like pigeons. In either case, dead birds make the best decoys and are always added to the spread. Remember, pigeons usually land into the wind like ducks and place your decoys accordingly. Also, pigeons are only stupid once so staying concealed or at least standing very still in the shadows, avoiding sky busting, etc. is very helpful. Otherwise they can be very skittish and not offer you as many good shots. Have fun.

Thank you oldbirdhntr for your wisdom.

I do enjoy thinning them out at the home farm when I get the chance.